In a meeting with the Des Moines Register's editorial board, Democratic candidate for governor Ross Wilburn said he's seeking the office to create opportunities for all Iowans, regardless of background.

"They’re looking for vision and they’re looking for us getting back to those opportunities for Iowans," he said.

Wilburn, 52, became Iowa City’s first African-American mayor in 2006 and served one term. He served three terms on the Iowa City city council and currently is the diversity officer and associate program director for Community and Economic Development for Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

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1. IT'S ABOUT THE 'BREADTH' OF EXPERIENCE: Wilburn said what qualifies him to be governor is the breadth of experience he would bring to the role. He highlighted his work for non-profits, running a small business, working in K-12 and post-secondary education as well as serving in the Iowa Army National Guard.

"We’re the sum of our experiences, and those experiences help inform how we make decisions, they help inform our approach, the choices we make in resolving problems but also (in) setting vision," he said.

"The theme, if I were to look at it, is community — and giving back to the community through all of the professions that I’ve had and all of the volunteer work that I do," he said.

2. EDUCATION AND HEALTH ARE IMPORTANT, INTERTWINED : Wilburn said the most important issue facing Iowa right now is mental health care, though he said that is interwoven with issues such as K-12 education.

"Young people can’t learn if they are showing up at school with mental health issues or if they’re hungry," he said.

He said the state should reverse its privatization of Medicaid, create tuition incentives for mental health graduates who stay in Iowa and provide higher levels of funding for pre-kindergarten programs as well as K-12 education.

3. IOWA'S FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN GOVERNOR? Although he said it is not a primary reason he's seeking office, he hopes his presence in the race will inspire others who don't see themselves in politics.

"Before I was mayor of Iowa City, I was on city council, and in the back of the city council chambers was a wall of pictures of past mayors Iowa City," he said. "Most (were) men — just a few women. But all, at least visibly, were not people of color. And so I was — it was almost a sense that I was in a position to try."

He said there have been others who are involved in politics or who have been "more charismatic," but who haven't run for some reason.

"If in any way, shape or form, (my running) is beneficial for one young woman or one young man out there, then it’s worth my time to do — to show that," Wilburn said.